The World Cup winner has hailed the skill set of a fellow countryman and admits anticipation is being piled on the 28-year-old’s shoulders.
Paris Saint-Germain forwards Neymar is the most technically-gifted player on Earth, says Cafu, with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi sitting behind the Brazilian in regards to ability on the ball.
An exciting South American talent has built his reputation on being among the most creative performers in the international game.
For Neymar, soccer is a form of amusement and he seldom passes up an opportunity to break out his box of tricks.
The exact same can be said for several other elite players, including six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, but Cafu considers his fellow countryman takes the art of ball manipulation into a whole different level.
The legendary World Cup winner advised Fox Sports: “Technically, Neymar is the best player on the planet.
“Nowadays, technically, nobody can beat Neymar. Not even Messi, though I am a fan of him. But he doesn’t surpass him in terms of technical quality.”
While Neymar’s individual excellence remains without question, Cafu admits he wants to work in his direction.
A man who captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002 added: “Now I don’t see any leader inside the Brazilian group.
“Now I don’t see anybody who says this to Neymar:’Oh, do not do this’ or’Do this’. There’s not!
“They gave him responsibility, and it is not his profile. It is not that he does not need to, but because it is not his profile.
“Have you ever seen him grabbing Thiago Silva and Tite at a conversation and solving the circumstance? No, because it isn’t his profile.”
While Neymar isn’t the type to bark out orders to those around him, he’s effective at providing inspiration through his actions on the field.
For Brazil, a country starved of soccer’s biggest prize for what they believe to be much too long, the 28-year-old is still the man to carry the hopes of a whole country.
Cafu added: “I talk here, he is our best hope for winning a World Cup.
“With Neymar on the pitch, if he needs it or not, eight competitions will remain connected to him.
“He’s a mention, he makes room for many others, he scores extraordinary goals, but, actually, someone is missing who covers, somebody, is lacking the power to fit in around him.”
